Frame 5 - Richard Frajola "Paying The Postage" www.rfrajola.com 1865 - Re-opening of Southern Post Offices United States Nickel Trime

27 July 1865 Cartersville, Georgia wallpaper cover to Mt. Zion, Georgia 3¢ rate paid with 3c 1861 issue, bright green postmark

The United States re-opened post offices in the occupied South as contractors to carry the mails could be found. Envelopes made of wallpaper were a hold-over from the severe paper shortages in Confederacy.

1865 three cent minted in

In 1865 three cent pieces were first minted using a nickel composition rather than as previously. The composition was 75% copper and 25% nickel. The designer was James B. Longacre. 1866 - 6¢ Ship Rate from Japan Third Issue Fractional Currency

20 April, 1865 Yokohama, Japan to US Director Pollock’s wife at Philadelphia 20 May 1865 San Francisco, California Due 6 ship rate

This letter is from the sister of addressee who, along with her husband, James Curtis Hepburn, were doing Missionary work in Japan. Letter describes the first use of anesthesia in an operation in Japan. The Director of the Mint objected to the use of fractional currency "shinplasters" but was unable to secure the needed nickel to mint enough .

1864 Issue 3¢ fractional currency

The third issue of fractional currency was released on December 5, 1864. It was the only issue to include a three cent denomination. Two of these notes could be used to pay the six cents due. 1869 - 15¢ Rate To France Fourth Issue Fractional Currency

22 May 1869 to Paris, France 15¢ rate prepaid with 15¢ 1869 pictorial issue, type I

The first pictorial series of stamps was issued in 1869. The fifteen cents and two higher denominations were printed in two colors. The stamps were grilled in an attempt to thwart illegal re-use.

1869 Issue 15¢ fractional currency

The fourth series of fractional currency, issued in 1869, was the only one to include a 15c denomination. Some examples have blue fibers embedded between the layers of the paper in an attempt to prevent counterfeiting. 1875 - 10¢ Steamship Rate Fifth Issue Fractional Currency

7 May 1875 Matanzas, Cuba to New York City Due 10 U.S. Currency rate datestamp applied at New York

Currency due datestamp was used on unpaid steamship mail received at New York in 1874 and 1875.

1874 Issue 10¢ fractional currency

The Fifth Issue of fractional currency was released on February 26, 1874 and continued in use until all fractional currency was retired in 1876. Printing was done by the Bureau of Printing and Engraving. 1875 - 20¢ Double Steamship Rate Twenty Cent Piece

9 March 1875 letter from sailor onboard USS Canandaigua at Aspinwall, New Grenada double 10¢ steamship rate prepaid by sender, entered mails at New Orleans on March 26 for local delivery

Mail carried by a steamship with a mail-carrying contract was subject to a ten cent per half ounce rate until July 1, 1875. This cover was carried by such a steamer on the regular mail route between Aspinwall and New Orleans. The U.S. stamps could have been purchased in New Grenada (Colombia) or in the U.S. by the sailor.

1875 twenty cent piece minted in Carson City

The twenty cent piece was a short-lived coin that was minted for circulation only in 1875 and 1876. They circulated primarily in the West where silver was preferred over paper currency. The Carson City, Nevada mint, where the above example was coined, operated from 1870 until 1893. 1883 - Hawaii 25¢ Issue Hawaii Quarter

17 December 1888 registered cover from Honolulu, Hawaii to Freetown, Sierra Leone postage and fees prepaid with 25¢ 1883 issue portraying a statue of King Kamehameha I

Before Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898, it had been an independent kingdom and then a republic. After 1878, Hawaiian stamps were printed by the American Company in the United States.

1883 Hawaii quarter minted in Philadelphia

In 1883 Hawaii contracted with the for the production of silver coins based on the current United States series. Designed by Charles Barber, the coins, minted only for a single year, portray King Kalakaua I and the Hawaiian coat of arms. These were the only silver coins minted for Hawaii. 1888 - 5¢ Garfield Issue Color Change Nickel Design Change of 1883

21 April 1888 New York City to Cassel, Germany 5¢ postal rate paid with 5¢ brown Garfield supplementary mail 5¢ fee paid with newly issued 5¢ blue Garfield

The color of the five cent brown Garfield stamp was changed to blue in 1888. The sender of this applied the brown stamp and the supplementary mail office, where late mail was processed, applied the new blue stamp.

1883 Liberty nickel, with "V" 1883 Liberty nickel, with "V" no unit of currency designated "cents" added

In 1883 a new design “Liberty” nickel was introduced. The initial design did not include the word “cents” and soon -plated examples surfaced passing as $5.00 gold pieces. Later in 1883 the design was altered to include the denomination. 1893 - United States Post Office in China Trade Dollar with Chinese Chop

June 1893 Consular cover from Ningpo, China, via Shanghai, to Boston entered mails at U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai with pair 5¢ 1892 issue adhesives

The United States established a consular postal agency in Shanghai, China in 1867 and stamps sold. The above cover was carried by consular courier from Ningpo to Shanghai where it entered the mails to the United States.

1875 trade dollar minted in San Francisco, Chinese chop marks

In 1873 the minting of the trade dollars commenced with the expectation that they would replace Spanish coins then prevalent in the China trade. Their status in the United States was soon revoked after silver prices dropped in 1876. Most were shipped to China and Chinese merchants often added their "chop" marks after verifying purity. 1893 - Columbian Series Columbian Commemorative Half Dollar

21 October 1893 World’s Fair Station postmark on souvenir cover with coin design 4¢ Columbian series stamp on 10¢ Columbian series postal stationery

The first commemorative series of United States stamps was issued in conjunction with the World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893. Sixteen denominations were included. Above is a souvenir cover prepared by J. A. Pierce at the fair.

1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Chicago Half Dollar

The first commemorative silver coin of the United States was the Columbian half dollar released the same day as the stamp set on January 1, 1893. The half dollar was sold as a souvenir for $1.00 each at the fair and remainders were later released at face value. 1893 - Columbian Series Columbian Commemorative Quarter

17 July 1894 Philadelphia registered usage from Bogert & Durbin, stamp dealers 1¢ to 6¢ stamps overpaying the postal rate to a famous collector

The first commemorative series of United States stamps was issued in conjunction with the World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893. Sixteen denominations were included.

1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Chicago Quarter Dollar

The commemorative silver Columbian quarter dollar was released on June 13, 1893 as a companion coin to the previously released half dollar. They were sold as a souvenirs for $1.00 each at the fair. 1909 - 2¢ Lincoln Commemorative First Day of Issue 1909-S Lincoln Cents

12 February 1909 San Francisco, California 2¢ Lincoln stamp, first day of issue

A commemorate stamp for was issued on the 100th anniversary of his birth. It was released nationwide as well as in Puerto Rico on the same date.

1909-S cent, "VDB" initials 1909-S cent, no initials minted in San Francisco minted in San Francisco

The Lincoln cent was designed by Victor D. Brenner to replace the in 1909. They were originally minted with the designer’s initials (V.D.B.) on the reverse but these initials were soon removed. 1911 - First Official Airmail Flight 1909 Lincoln Cents

23 September 1911 Garden City Estates “Aerial Special Despatch” mail 2¢ stamp covered regular mail service, signed by Earle Ovington the pilot

The first official airmail in the United States was carried by Earle Ovington, an appointed mail carrier for this event, during an Aviation Tournament at Garden City on September 23, 1911. Above cover is a first day flight.

1909 cent, "VDB" initials 1909 cent, no initials minted in Philadelphia minted in Philadelphia

The Lincoln cent was designed by Victor D. Brenner to replace the Indian Head cent in 1909. They were originally minted with the designer’s initials (V.D.B.) on the reverse but these initials were soon removed. 1915 - Panama-Pacific Series Perfin Panama Pacific

18 December 1915 usage from the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, Department of Coins and Medals 2¢ stamp with “PPIE Co” perforated initials (Panama Pacific International Exposition Company)

A set of commemorative stamps, 1¢ to 10¢, was issued for the Panama-Pacific Exposition that was held in San Francisco in 1915. The sponsoring Company perforated their initials on stamps as a control measure to prevent theft. The cover is addressed to a coin and medal dealer.

1915 Panama-Pacific Gold Dollar minted in San Francisco

A quantity of 15,000 commemorative Panama-Pacific gold dollars were minted in January, 1915 as part of a set of commemorative coins ranging from 50¢ to $50. The obverse design represents a laborer on the Panama Canal and the reverse shows two dolphins representing the joining of the oceans. 1917 - Registered Usage from Puerto Rico Buffalo Nickel + Mercury Dime

24 April 1917 Arecibo, Puerto Rico registered, return receipt requested, to Freetown, Sierra Leone 15¢ total postage which included 10¢ registry and 5¢ for rate to Sierra Leone

United States stamps and coins have been used in Puerto Rico since October 18, 1898 when control of the island passed formally to the United States.

1913 Buffalo nickel, type 1 1916 Mercury dime minted in Philadelphia minted in Philadelphia

The Buffalo nickel, designed by James Fraser, was first issued in 1913. The design was modified later that same year by recessing the date and altering the mound on reverse. The Winged Liberty Head, or Mercury dime, designed by Adolph Weinman, was first released in 1916. 1918 - 24¢ Airmail Service Standing Liberty Quarter

29 May 1918 Via “Aeroplane Mail” from New York City to Washington, D.C. and by train to Chicago 24¢ airmail stamp covered airmail service and special delivery upon arrival in Chicago

The first airmail stamp issued by the United States was released on May 13, 1918. The 24c stamp was issued for the new airmail service inaugurated on May 15th. The rate was reduced on July 15, 1918.

1917 Standing Liberty Quarter, type 1, minted in Philadelphia

The standing Liberty quarter dollar was designed by Hermon MacNeil. Type 1, showing Liberty’s exposed breast, was first released in January 1917. In response to public outrage, the design was altered in July 1917. 1921 - Parcel Tag Gold

21 October 1921 Denver Bank to Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank parcel tag, total prepaid $4.74, 10c registry fee plus $4.64 postage for 232 ounces at 2¢ an ounce

This tag probably accompanied a parcel of gold coins being transferred from the United States Branch bank in Denver to their counterpart in Kansas City. If $20 gold coins were sent, the total would have been 175 coins.

1909 gold $5 Indian Head half eagle minted in Denver

The Indian Head half eagle coin was designed by Bela Lyon Pratt. The half eagle was minted between 1908 and 1914 in Denver. The use of incuse design and lettering on coins was limited to the quarter eagles and half eagles.